Washington News

May 9, 1870

Summary

There is a possible Indian War in the West that would remove troops from Southern states. Additionally, the effects and ways to handle the Capitol Disaster are being discussed within the government.

Transcription

Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch. Washington, May 6, 1870 The postponement by the Senate of the consideration of the House resolution to adjourn on t- he 4th of July to regarded as a very sure evidence that the majority of the members do not believe that the important business to be transacted can be closed up by July. It will require the very potent cause to reconcile members of Congress to night sessions now that the hot weather is coming on ; and, indeed, of late years it is beginning to be conceded that very little work is accomplished in the way of legislation after the sun goes down. Under any circumstance, if all the work which should be done is accomplished, it will entail upon the industrious members an amount of labor which will very certainly induce them to hail the adjournment with genuine gratitude. Very little is now heard about the St. Domingo treaty, and it is hard to "count noses" correctly in the matter. At one time it was claimed in Administration circles that there was a map of it in the Senate favoring annexation. Now, "however, since, a protest from the Cabral party, signed by 11,000 of the good men of that faction, it is beginning to be believed that there will be more stumbling-blocks than ever to the ratification of the treaty. It is very certain that the prospect of an Indian war, when the grass grows high enough to make the fighting pleasant to the Indians, will have the effect of lessening the anxiety in Congress to reduce the army to the extent that is now anticipated. If war does come, it will take all the troops out of the southern country now quartering there. The word "white" an obnoxious one to so many people in this section has not yet been stricken from the naturalization laws, though Mr. Sumner is confident that he will succeed in accomplishing its obliteration during the present session. Subscriptions in aid of the sufferers by the distressful calamity at your capitol are ill progressing here. Outside of the general fund, that started by the journalists in behalf of the family of the late Dr. Brock gives promise of being liberal. The emeute among the Republican municipal politicians here is likened by leading Radical politicians in Congress to the differences which have distracted the party in the different States, and as such cannot have their sympathy. Most of them incline to Bowen, who, if Emory and Richards, the other nominees for the mayoralty, remain in the field, is very likely to be elected. Timon.